Improvement in cartridge-boxes



' J. R. KING.

Cartridge Box.

Patented Nov. 15, 1870.

IIIIUE Z- lllllll! 72272 $65 afia? fn/vemz'tv 3081118 7636219 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSIAS It. KING, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM M. TILESTON, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGE-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 09.365, t d N v mber 15, 187

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSIAS R. KING, of the city and county of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and Improved Cartridge-Box; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making a part of'this specification, in which- Figure l is a view, in perspective, of the box when closed; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the box when open; and Fig. 3 a side elevation of the same when closed.

This invention consists of a plate of leather or other suitable material, made in one or more pieces, and provided with rows of loops for holding cartridges, the plate and loops being so arranged relatively to each other that the former may be folded together in such man- 11 er as to form a box that incloses and protects the cartridges, the rows of which lie in a compact body within the box when the same is thus formed.

Referring to the drawing, A is the plate, the same being preferably formed of one piece, that may be cut of suitable size out of leather or other material. Parallel rows of loops at and b are secured to one side of the plate A, said rows being placed at a distance apart depending on the length of the cartridges to be used, and each row containing as many loops as may be required.

A stiff strip of leather, 0, is secured to the plate A between and parallel with the rows of loops, the function of said strip being to stiffen that part of the plate to which it is applied, in order that it may serve as a bottom to the box when the plate is folded up.

A third row of loops, d, is secured to the outside of the plate A opposite the row I), and the cartridges that are inserted in the row (I point in the contrary direction to those in the row I).

When the plate A is folded together the cartridges in the rows a and b are brought side by side, the points of one row being next to the heads of the other, both to attain compactness of packing and also to prevent concussion between the heads of the two rows, and the injuries or explosions that might result therefrom, The upper part of the plate A folds as a flap, f, over the cartridges of the row (1.,

A strip of leather, 0, having a slit out in it,

is secured to the flap f, and when the plate is folded together the slit is passed over the stud it, that projects from the part forming the bottom of the box, by which means the flap is fastened.

Small flaps i are formed at the extremities of that part of the plate A which bears the rows of loops 1) and d, and when the plate is folded together the flaps t are turnediu so as to cov' er the end cartridges of the row 2). Studs or extend outward from the flaps t, and strips 122, provided with slits and secured to the outside of the plate A at suitable points, are fastened over the studs a when the plate is folded together.

The invention herein described is superior to the ordinary cartridge-box by reason of the substitution of loops for the tin boxes that hold the cartridges, and the consequent re duction in expense, weight, and size. It is, therefore, not only a better device for the soldier to carry upon his person, but also for transportation by the quantity in wagons or cars.

The stifiening-strip 0 may be secured to the outside of the plate A, if preferred.

The fastening-strips may be struck out of the same piece with the plate A, so as to avoid securing said strips and plate together.

The expense of constructing this cartridgebox is still further lessened from that of the ordinary box by reason of the plate being struck out of one piece of leather, and its capacity for compact packing isincreased by its capability of being laid out flat in the vehicle that transports it.

The ordinary cartridge-box can be altered to this form at a small expense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The plate A, whet-her made in one or more pieces, and provided with rows of loops for holding cartridges, substantially as described.

2. The plate A, provided with rows to 0 of loops on one side, and a row or rows, d, on

the other side, so arranged as to fold compactly together and be covered by the plate, substantially as specified.

JOSIAS 1%. KING.

'Witnesses:

ROBT. B. PATTON, J NO. WHITE. 

